Automatic system of refrigeration.



' No. 65!,826. Patented lune l9, I900.

C. J. COLEMAN.

AUTOMATIC SYSTEM OF REFRIGERATION.

(Application filed June 24, 1899.)

(No Model.)

,qTTEsT: //VVENTOF1 yaw CL YDE J. COLEMAN) 77a. M h p-5 BY HTT'Y NlTEDSTATES PATENT CFFICE. Y

CLYDE J. COLEMAN, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, ASSIGNOR TO THOMAS J. RYAN,

' OF NEW YORK, N. Y.

AUTOMATIC SYSTEM OF REFRIGERATION.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 651,826, dated June 19,1900.

Application filed June 24, 1899. Serial N0- 721,773. (N0 model.)

To coZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, CLYDE J. COLEMAN, a citizen of the United States,residing at Chicago, in the county of Cook and State of Illinois, haveinvented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Systems ofRefrigeration, (Case 13;) and I do hereby declare the following to beafull, clear, and exact description of the same, reference being had to.

the accompanying drawing, forming a part of this specification.

The present invention relates to the absorption system of refrigeration,and more especially to that type of such system in which the differentoperations succeed each other automatically and in recurring cycles,

The object of the present improvement is to provide a durable andefiective system and apparatus in which the different steps oroperations of the absorption system'of refrigeration are caused toautomatically succeed each other in recurring cycles, the one step oroperation controlling the commencement of the next succeeding step oroperation, all as will hereinafter more fully appear and be moreparticularly pointed out in the claims.

The accompanying drawing, illustrative-of the present invention, is anelevation, partly sectional and partly diagrammatic, ofanelectricallycontrolled automatic refrigerating apparatus embodying thepresent invention Referring to the drawing, 1 represents the combinedabsorption and generator chamber; 2, the auxiliary absorption-chamber;3, the rectifier or water-separator; 4, the storage or condensing coilsor chamber, in which the ammonia-gas ina liquid or highly-condensedstate collects; 5, the automatic expansionvalve, and 6 the expansionchamber or coils, in which the condensed ammonia-gas from thestorage-chamber 4 is expanded to effect the cooling step or operation ofthe system.

The above-described elements or members of the apparatus are usual tothe present system of refrigeration and may be of any usual and approvedconstruction and be connected together in the usual manner-to wit, thegenerator 1 by pipe connection 7 with the water-separator or rectifier3', which in turn is connected by pipe 8 with the condensing or storagechamber 4, such pipe connec or liquefying chamber, with the subsequenttion being provided with a check-valve 9 to prevent backflow into therectifier and generator. The condensing-chamber 4 is connected to theexpansion or cooling chamber 5 by a pipe connection 10, in which isarranged the expansion-Valve 5, and the expansion or cooling chamber isin turn connected to the auxiliary absorption-chamber 2 by pipeconnection '11, while such auxiliary absorption-chamber 2 is connectedto the main generator 1 by a pipe connection 12, provided with acheck-valve 13, to prevent backflow from the generator into theauxiliary absorption-chamber 2, and which pipe connection in the presentimprovement is extended down a distance into such auxiliary chamber, asshown and for the purpose hereinafter set forth in the operation of thepresent apparatus.

The first part of the present invention consists in means, in connectionwith the present system of refrigeration, for removing from the ammoniagas after it leaves the generator any water or aqueous vapor which maybe carried away from the generator by such gas and by so doing remove avery serious defect in the present system of refrigeration as heretoforecarried on and which defect or obstacle to the successful and continuedoperation of the process was caused by the fact that water or aqueousvapor to a greater or less extent was carried over into the condensingresults of a clogging up of the expansionvalve and the expansion'orcooling chamber or coils by the congelation of such water therein and socause a material reduction in the eiiicient and economical action of thesystem, and which reduction would be further angmen ted by a reductionin the volatility of the ammonia-gas due to the presence of such aqueousvapor.. In the present invention such difficulties are avoided by theprovision within the rectifying-chamber 3 of a partition or diaphragm14, of a porous nature, that will admit of the passage of a gaseousbody, such as ammonia-gas, but will prevent the passage of water oraqueous vapor. Such nature I find is afforded by an unglazed and 100highly-vitrified porcelain and also by an or-"-- dinary porous batterycup that has been treated with some antihygroscopic material,

such as paraffin; In use any required shape may be imparted to suchdiaphragm 14, preference being given to the cup or.pot shaped formationshown in the drawing as afiord ing aniaximuin area, with ch eapness andsimpli'city of construction.

' Another part of the present invention consaid generating-chamber andpressure in the liquefying-chamber or the connections lead-.

ing thereto, the turning on or starting of the heating apparatus beingin like manner con-. trolled by the combined action of temperature andthe height or volume of aqua-aim monia in the generator-chamber.

To such endsthe construction and arrangei ment of parts -w1ll be asfollows:

l is an electrical heating apparatus'ot' any usual and approvedconstruction and which is so-arrang'ed, preferably within the genera tor1,,as shown, as to heat the contents'of such generator. Theoperating-circuit of such heating apparatus will embrace,in addition tothe battery 16 or other source of e ectric energy, a switch mechanism17, adap ed; to open and close said circuit, as hereinafterdescribed,andso pivoted that it will have more or less friction on its .pivotalbearing, and

thus'remain-in the position to which it may be set until positivelymoved from such position the pipe connection 8, leading from therectifi'er 3 to the storage tank or coil 4 to indicate, the pressurewithin suchcoil or tank and in addition thereto impart movement in.uni-- son with the pressure in said storage-tank to a' connectingrod orlink 19, that has opera.-

tive connection to the pivoted thermostat 20,

., usually ofthe'bimetallic formation illustrated in the drawing, theconnections being such that with variations of pressure in the storagetank or coil 4 the thermostat; willbe correw spondingly moved toward oraway from the contacbpoint 21. The operating-circuitcontrolled by saidthermostat will, in addition to the battery 22 or othersou'rce'oflelectric energy, include the operating-electromagnet 23, bywhich the switch mechanism 17 is oper-; ated to break or open thecircuit of the heating apparatus 15. J 4

2 4 is'a float arranged withinthe interior of the generat'or 1 andhaving operative cons n'ection with a pivoted thermostat 25, usi

ally of. the bimetallic formation illustrated-in the, drawing, theconnection being suchfthat with .the final, upward movement oftheifl'oa't the thermostat 275 will be moved toward. the.

contact-point 26, so as tocomplete the circuit:

Themoperatingflcircuit controlled bysuch 1 i the circuit thereof and1811s a pressure gage or motor located in mechanism, in addition to thebattery 27 or other source of electric energy, will include theoperating-electrom'aguet 28, by which the switch mechanism 17 isoperated to close the circuit. of. the heating apparatus.

' In the presentapparatus, 29 is an electromagnet adapted to open theexpansion-valve 5. The operatin g electrical circuit of this m'ag net,in addition to the battery 30 or other source of electric energy, willembrace a thermostat 31 within the influence of the expansion or coolingchamber 6 of' the system and adapted to maintain the temperature withinsuch expausionechamber constant. I

The operation of the present apparatus is as follows:' Startingwith thecombined generator and absorber 1, charged with a saturated solution ofaqua-ammonia,aud the float 21' in its extreme upper position, to closethrough the pivoted thermostat 25 audcontact-point 26 the circuitoftheelectromagnet 28, which in turn brings the circuit of theheatingappar'atns 15 into a closed condition in order'that such heatingapparatuswill effect distillation. from. the solution in the maingenerator 1 passes through pipe connection 7 into the rectifier 3, wherethe aqueous vapor is separated. From thence the ammonia-gas passes intothe liquefying chamber or coils lto-assume a highly compressed or liquidcondition.

At a degreeof temperature within the generator, combined with a likedegree of pressure. in the l-iquefying chamber and, corresponding withan approximate-completion of thedistillation .thetherm ostat 20 operatesthe switch 17 of the heating apparatus to open prevent a further heatingof 'thesame.

The operation of the thermostat 20- with the compensatingpressure-motor'18 is as follows: \Vhene'ver the pressure inthecoolingcoil 4 is greatest, (owing to-a rise in atmospherictemperature or other causes,) the pressuremotor-operates the thermostatso ,thatagreater temperature will have to be attainedin the generator inorder that it may operate the thermostatic controllingcircuit. Undersuch eonditionsthis increased tem perature in the generator will berequired to approximate a complete distillation of the am monia-gas fromthe generator, and, conversely, should the temperature for any reasonbecome reduced in the liquefying-coil, andconsequently the pressurerequired to maintain the ammonia-gas liquefied under such conditionscorrespondingly reduced, the

. pressure-motor (on account of being connected with the same) will, bymeans of its connection with the thermostat, advance said thermostattoward its contact-point, so that a lesser rise of temperature in thegenerator will cause the thermostat to act andarrest the further heatingof the generator. Otherwise WlihlihiS reduced'temperature theliquefyingchamber,andconsequently a lesser pressure being required undersuchcondi- The ammonia-gas arising tion's, not only would theammonia-gas, but also a large percentage of water be distilled overshould the temperature effect not be compensated for and prevent thetemperature in the generator from being as great as would be requiredwhere the temperature and corresponding pressure are greater in theliquefying-coil.

With the present apparatus the cooling or refrigerating action of theexpansion or cooling chamber 6 is substantially continuous, in thatduring the distilling operation above described and during thesubsequent period of time in which the generator is cooling down, so asto commence reabsorption, a continued expansion of the ammonia-gas takesplace in such expansion or cooling coils under a gradually-increasingback pressure, due to y the gradual saturation of the liquid in theauxiliary absorption-chamber 2 under the cf fectsof suchgradually-increasing pressure.

With the cooling down of the main generator reabsorption of theammonia-gas commences therein, and with the gradual absorption of theammonia the liquid-line therein gradually rises and elevates the float24 to finally close the circuit of the operating-electromagnet 28 of theswitch mechanism 17 to close the heating-circuit ot the heatingapparatus l5 and cause a recommencement of the distillation, when a newcycle of operations will again commence. o

The thermostat 25 is arranged so that a rise in temperature will causeit to advance or bend toward contact-point 26, which compensates for adecreased level of the aquaammonia on account of this corresponding riseof temperature, preventing the water from absorbing its usual percentageof ammoniagas, thus failing to operate the float sufficiently.

With the present apparatus the excess of ammonia-gas absorbed by theauxiliary absorber 2 while under pressure is with the removal of suchpressure again given 0K to be absorbed by the main generator, and theconstruction of such auxiliary absorber is such that any excess of watercollecting'in the same will be automatically forced over into the maingenerator through the pipe connection 12.

Having thus fully described my said invention, what I claim as new, anddesire to secure by Letters Patent, is

1. The combination with the generator and liquefier of an absorptionsystem of refrigeration, of a rectifier provided with a porousdiaphragm, adapted to permit the passage of the refrigerant gas, andexclude the absorbent medium, substantially as set forth.

2. The combination with. the generator and liquefier of an absorptionsystem of refrigeration, of a rectifier provided with a porousdiaphragm, having a cup or pot shape, adapted to permit the passage ofthe refrigerant gas, and exclude the aqueous vapor, substantially as setforth.

3. In an automatic absorption system of refrigeration, the combinationoffa generating and absorbing chamber, a liquefying-chamher, anexpansion-chamber, and an auxiliary absorption-chamber, between theexpansionchamber and the generating and absorbing chamber and connectedin series therewith and adapted to continue the cooling operation of theexpansion-chamber, duringthe heating and cooling operations of thegenerator, substantially as set forth. 7

4. In an automatic absorption system of refrigeration, thecombinationwith a generating-cha1nber,a liquefying-chamber and an excircuit withsaid electromagnetic switch and a pressure-motor communicating with thegenerating-chamber and mechanically connectedwith the thermostat.

6. In an automatic absorption system of refrigeration, the combinationwith a generating-chamber, a liquefying-chamber and expansion-chamber,of a heater for the generating-chamber,a thermal device associated withthe generator and arranged to control the heater, and a pressure-motortending to operate the thermal device by an increased pressure in thegenerator in an opposite manner to the operation of the thermal deviceby an increase of temperature.

7. In an automatic absorption system of re frigeration, the combinationwith a generating-chamber,a liquefyingchamber and an expansion-chamber,of an electrical heater for the generating-chamber, a thermal deviceassociated with the generator and arranged to control the heater, and apressure-motor tending to operate the thermal device by an increasedpressure in the generator in an opposite manner to the operation of thethermal device by an increase of temperature.

8. In an automatic absorption system of refrigeration, the combinationof a generating and absorbing chamber, a liquefying-chamher, anexpansion-chamber, a thermostat in the generating-chamber, an electricalcircuit controlled by said thermostat, an electromagnet arranged in saidcircuit, and adapted to control the heating apparatus of the generator;and a pressuregage connected with the liquefying-chamber and adapted toregulate the movement of the thermostat, substantially as set forth.

v 9. l he combination with the generator and liquefier of ail-absorptionsystem of refrigeration, of a rectifier provided with a porous diaphragmadapted to permit the passage of refrigerant gas and exclude aqueousvapor, and

an electric heater associatedwith the generator for heating the same.

10. The combination with the generator, and liquefier of an absorptionsystem of re frigeration, and an electric heater associated with thegenerator for heating the contents thereof, of a rectifier provided witha porous diaphragm having a cup or pot shape, adapted .topermit thepassage of the refrigerant gas and exclude the aqueous vapor. a 11. Thecombination with a generator and liquefier of an absorption system ofrefrigeration, of a rectifier provided with a porous diaphragm treatedwith antihygroscopic material.

12. In' an electrical system of automatic control for refrigeratingapparatus, the combination of a generating and absorbing chain-,- her, aliquefying-chamber, an expansionchamber, a thermostat in thegeneratingchamber, an electrical circuit controlled by said thermostat,an electromagnet arranged in said circuit, andadapted to control theheating apparatus of the generator, and a float within the generatoradapted to regulate .the movementof said thermostat, and close" v suchcircuit, substantially as set forth,

l3. In an electrical system of automatic 14th day of June,

control for refrigerating apparatus, the com bination of a generatingand absorbing charnber, an electrical heating apparatus for the same, anelectrical circuit embracing said heating apparatus, aliquefying-chamber, an expansion-chamber, a thermostat in thegenerating-chamber, an electrical circuit conerating-chamber anelectrical circuit controlled by said thermostat, an electromagnet insaid circuit adapted to close a switch in the heating electricalcircuit, and afloat in the generating-chamber adapted to regulate themovement of the thermostat, substantially as set forth. Intest-imonywhereot witness m .ha'nd this 1899. t CLYDE J. COLEMAN. In,presence of-'- I ROBERT V BURNS, JAMES LAVALLIN.

